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Film Series
African Film Series: The monthly series explores cultural diversity through foreign and domestic films.
Heritage Month Celebrations
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- American Indian Heritage Month
- Black History Month
- Women's History Month
- Deaf Awareness Month
- Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Kwanzaa Celebration
The African-American cultural holiday conceived and developed by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, was first celebrated on December 26, 1966. Kwanzaa is traditionally celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each day focused on Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits," Kwanzaa is rooted in the first harvest celebrations practiced in various cultures in Africa. Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa is a way of life; not just a celebration. As a living social practice, it is a week of actual remembering, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing.
McDaniel College hosts its annual Kwanzaa Celebration the first Sunday of December. The program honors the principles of Kwanzaa. A Karamu (Kwanzaa Feast) is served and a Zawadi gift exchange takes place. For more information about Kwanzaa, visit the official website at http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
In coordination with the national holiday observing the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the OMS continues to develop innovative programming to remember the life, celebrate the achievements, and act upon the legacy of Dr. King. Programs are often collaborative efforts with the participation of community agencies, students, and academic or administrative offices of the College. In addition, the OMS recently added an essay-writing component to encourage local public school students to reflect on the meaning of Dr. King's legacy in their lives.
Multicultural Leaders Banquet
This banquet honors seniors who have displayed outstanding leadership and service to multicultural awareness on campus throughout the course of their four years as McDaniel students. Graduating seniors are honored with a dinner and presentation ceremony, in which they receive commemorative gifts from the Office of Multicultural Services, Office of Alumni Relations, and the College Activities Office in recognition of their service to the campus community. In addition, one graduating senior among those being honored, and one faculty member are chosen to receive awards that recognize their outstanding leadership abilities. Graduating seniors are also asked to leave an item of special significance as a symbolic representation of their accomplishments and growth. The items are, then, artfully arranged and displayed in the OMS for current and future students to view, and for alumni to reminisce.
Phenomenal Women's Luncheon
In honor of the Women's History Month in March, OMS and Women's Issues Group sponsors the Phenomenal Women's Celebration to encourage individuals to nominate various women who deserve a special recognition for their achievemnets and contributions to the campus. The selected women encompass members of McDaniel's College Community consisting of students, faculty, and staff. Once nomination are submitted, OMS and the WIG host an annual luncheon to acknowledge 30 of McDaniel College 's Phenomenal Women. Among the activities of the luncheon, previously honored phenomenal women offer words of inspiration and support to current honorees.
Diversity Week
The second week of April is celebrated as Diversity Week at McDaniel College. The Office of Multicultural Services, in collaboration with various student organizations and academic departments, sponsors an array of programming to increase awareness and appreciation of diversity on McDaniel's campus. Diversity Week activities have included guest speakers Manute Bol, Helaine Gitomer, and performances by Step Afrika, Sangmele, Music From China, and Faces of America.
Multicultural Prospective Student Weekend
The activities of Multicultural Student Weekend are designed to give selected prospective students an overnight experience and opportunity to interact with students at McDaniel College as they prepare for their final decision making process. Prospective students visit the campus for the weekend to gain first-hand knowledge of what the campus offers multicultural students. In preparation, OMS gathers volunteers to make follow-up phone calls, oversee the registration process, take pictures of weekend events and visitors, and to coordinate the unity games. Current students volunteer to host visiting high school students, and to facilitate many of the events of the weekend.
Upon arrival, students are presented with an itinerary of events. After a brief orientation, visitors, along with their hosts or volunteers, attend academic workshops and participate in an array of activities that introduce them to college life. Later in the evening, the visitors and hosts receive dinner and attend the annual Fashion Show sponsored by the Black Student Union. Visitors are then given the option to attend the after-party hosted by the Black Student Union, view a movie, or utilize the game room.
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